Pre-analytical delay of blood cultures: An observational study with an appraisal of the effects of laboratory centralisation.

ABSTRACT Aims The United Kingdom Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMI) recommends incubating inoculated blood cultures in an automated analyser as soon as possible and within 4 hours of collection. This observational study records compliance with a four hour standard by microbiology services across NHS England. The impact of laboratory centralisation on compliance rates was appraised. Methods Freedom of Information requests were submitted to 116 National Health Service Trusts/administrative units in England requesting retrospective audit data showing compliance with the standard over a single year. Additional information requested relating to service configuration and laboratory